Any 41 magnum shooters?

[Wyatt Smith]

Oops, I did it again. I told myself I was not going to buy another firearm. Well, I couldn’t resist. I bought a S&W Mod 57 Classic with a 6” barrel. I’ll post pictures when I have it in my hands.

Way to go! I really like mine. A buddy and I were looking at a gun shop just this afternoon and he was eyeing a model 25 classic 6.5” in 45 colt.
I think I can talk him into it.

 

[Inkgardener]

@Wyatt Smith, yes I’m familiar with the S&W N frames used for both the .44 and the .41 mag in models 29/629 and 57 & 58. What I’m unaware of is .357s built on N frames and thought they only did that in the last 20 years in order to add a 8 shot cylinder. I believe majority of .357’s are built on K frames and later L frames for more strength, some might even be made on a beefed up J frame (Lady Smith) but not sure? I think the L frame allows for .357 in a 7 shot cylinder but only the N frames allow for 8 shots? But I’m not sure and was asking about that.
Anyway, I’m a fan of the older S&W revolvers - less so the newer ones made after 2000. The older model 57s in excellent condition are hard to come by and command a high price - but are a fine revolver. The model 58 was a cheaper law enforcement version without the adjustable rear sight but still a well made & functional .41 mag. I can’t think of anything made by S&W before 2000 that is not a nice revolver….just my preference and the fact I can’t afford an original Colt Python “collector grade”. Colt’s might have a smoother trigger & action but not by much and they are a bit less durable - but who cares because they are a classic work of art !

The very first .357 magnum ever was the N frame Registered Magnum in 1935.

 

[Manwe]

I have a S & W Mountain Gun in 41 Mag. A good medium bore with recoil without pain. A cartridge that should, and deserves to, have faired better in market acceptance.

 

[Neophyte]

Two reasons that the .41 Magnum never found widespread use were ammunition and the weight of the N frame.

Back problems are prevalent among cops. Carrying a lighter K frame is easier for a long tour of duty. Second, two ammo types with the same bullet weight. One, for law enforcement purposes and one for hunting that was loaded to higher velocities with higher recoil.

Thirdly, it came about at the beginning of cops starting to look to the higher ammunition capacity of the 9mm. While lots of badge toters wore a K frame on their hip they had a .45 ACP or 9mm squirreled away on their person or in their shop. (The patrol car is often referred to as their shop, office, or other namesake.)

I think the .41 is a much underrated and under appreciated round and if I could only have one revolver it would be the .41 Magnum for its versatility and adaptability. It works well on bipedal and quadrupeds.

 

[HankBuck]

Two reasons that the .41 Magnum never found widespread use were ammunition and the weight of the N frame.

Back problems are prevalent among cops. Carrying a lighter K frame is easier for a long tour of duty. Second, two ammo types with the same bullet weight. One, for law enforcement purposes and one for hunting that was loaded to higher velocities with higher recoil.

Thirdly, it came about at the beginning of cops starting to look to the higher ammunition capacity of the 9mm. While lots of badge toters wore a K frame on their hip they had a .45 ACP or 9mm squirreled away on their person or in their shop. (The patrol car is often referred to as their shop, office, or other namesake.)

I think the .41 is a much underrated and under appreciated round and if I could only have one revolver it would be the .41 Magnum for its versatility and adaptability. It works well on bipedal and quadrupeds.

@Neophyte - from what I’ve read (and also comments from one older cop from Texas) the main reason the .41 mag never gained popularity with Law enforcement was that the vast majority of officers could Not handle the recoil and could Not shoot it accurately. I believe that makes sense because the majority of handgun shooters cannot tolerate recoil above .38 Special or .9mm. By tolerate I don’t mean that they cannot fire it - but accuracy suffers and they do not handle it as well as 9mm. That is also why FBI returned to using 9mm after upgrading to the .40 S&W - too many FBI agents could Not fire the .40 S&W as well as the 9mm. They now allow FBI agents a choice between the 9mm and .40 with most choosing the 9mm. This is my understanding based on what I’ve read — I am NOT an FBI agent and was Never a Police Officer …however, I worked closely with both as a part of my job so I did get a little insight - although it was only from a few guys (one Woman) that shared their opinions. One retired Captain told me “I was always a horrible shot, hatred to practice..”. An rare honest comment - how many guys will admitt they are “horrible shots”?? (Many of us are but Few will admitt it).

 

[flatwater bill]

@HankBuck That is a good summary. Always wondered why it didn't take off. Reminds me, I have a SS Ruger 41 Mag in the safe and haven't fired it in 30 years. Time to let it go.........FWB

 

[Colt191145lover]

@HankBuck That is a good summary. Always wondered why it didn't take off. Reminds me, I have a SS Ruger 41 Mag in the safe and haven't fired it in 30 years. Time to let it go.........FWB

Blackhawk or Redhawk ?

 

[HankBuck]

@HankBuck That is a good summary. Always wondered why it didn't take off. Reminds me, I have a SS Ruger 41 Mag in the safe and haven't fired it in 30 years. Time to let it go.........FWB

@flatwater bill - Thanks Bill.
I see similarities between the lack of popularity with .41 magnums and 16 gauge shotguns - Both are excellent “inbetween” sizes and very effective. Both can do almost anything their bigger (or smaller) ‘relatives’ can do….But neither really caught on and especially today. There was a time for the 16 gauge when it was somewhat popular in the 1930s to 1950s and the slogan “carries like a 20 ga and hits like a 12” was an accurate description, ammo was also readily available - but 12 & 20s continued to dominate and Now the 16 ga is a “specialty” gauge and ammo must be hunted for On Line. At least the 16 gauge once “had it’s day” and that Never happened for the .41 mag. Both are very capable rounds.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I read somewhere recently that the year the 41 was introduced, Sierra sold more 41 bullets than any other handgun caliber.

 

[skydiver386]

Stopped by Adel Outfitters in Adel, Ga yesterday on the way to Florida. Picked up some hard to find 257 Roberts and 2 boxes of Barnes XPB 180 grain 41 Rem Mag for my neighbors revolver. He helps control the hog population on my place, so whenever I can find ammo for him I'm happy to do so. He makes short work of trapped hogs with that 41 mag of his.

 

[PARA45]

Well, here she is, she is a beauty. If I could only find a way to get the ammo here since UPS & FEDEX will not ship them.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Well, here she is, she is a beauty. If I could only find a way to get the ammo here since UPS & FEDEX will not ship them.

View attachment 654038

Nice piece!

 

[Inkgardener]

Well, here she is, she is a beauty. If I could only find a way to get the ammo here since UPS & FEDEX will not ship them.

View attachment 654038

That is nice!

Are you going to keep the rubber on, or the wood stocks?

 

[PARA45]

That is nice!

Are you going to keep the rubber on, or the wood stocks?

I'm not sure. Not a huge fan of the rubber grips. If anything, I'll probably get a set of Hogue Goncalo Alves grips. Something like this.